The Guardian view on Keir Starmer and rotten peers: go back to the reforming spirit of the Labour manifesto | Editorial

"The archaism of Britain's upper parliamentary chamber is not the cause of Sir Keir Starmer's current political woes, but it is a feature. Peter Mandelson's peerage was not directly related to his appointment as ambassador to Washington, but nor was it irrelevant. He enjoyed the status bestowed by a seat in the Lords during many years of friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. Although he has voluntarily resigned from active membership of parliament, Lord Mandelson's title can only be rescinded by special statute."

"That is a reminder of the absurdity in a system that empowers party leaders to dole out places in the legislature to friends and supporters, with no obligation ever to face judgment by the electorate. Sir Keir is now under yet more pressure related to a peer. Earlier this week, Labour suspended the Lords whip from Matthew Doyle, a former Downing Street director of communications, who campaigned in council elections on behalf of a friend who had been charged with possessing indecent images of children."

"Conservatives say the episode is another display of the prime minister's terrible judgment in making appointments. But they do not call for wider reforms, still less a clear-out of unsuitable peers, because the Lords is stuffed with Tory donors, cronies and aides with tenuous credentials to be legislators for life. Labour understood this issue well enough in opposition. The party's 2024 manifesto promised an extensive process of immediate reform of the Lords."

The House of Lords remains an archaic unelected chamber whose peerages confer lifetime legislative status and social cachet. Peter Mandelson's peerage provided status during years of friendship with Jeffrey Epstein and can be rescinded only by special statute. Party leaders routinely reward allies, donors and aides with lifelong seats without electoral accountability. Matthew Doyle had the Lords whip suspended after campaigning for a friend accused of possessing indecent images; No 10 says he did not disclose full facts when awarded a peerage. Conservatives criticize Sir Keir's judgment in appointments but oppose wider reforms. Labour pledged to end hereditary peers and strengthen appointments and accountability, yet implementation has been slow and legislation delayed.

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